San Joaquin County Biographies
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
JAMES C. JOYCE.
The son of a worthy and esteemed early settler of Stockton is James C.
Joyce, who was about a year old when with his mother and brother he arrived in
this city, coming via Panama. Born in Waltham, Mass., on October 15, 1862, he is
the son of Alfred and Margaret (McFarland) Joyce, both natives of Ireland; his
father was a baker by trade who came to California via the Isthmus of Panama in
the spring of 1863 and settled in Stockton. Three days out of the week he worked
on the levee and the other three days made yeast and sold it from house to
house; later he was cook in the What Cheer Hotel, which stood at the corner of
Center and Main streets; and then head cook at the State Hospital, remaining
there for nine years. After he had saved some money he went to Captain Weber's
office and told his clerk, L. M. Cutting that he wanted to purchase a lot for a
home. Mr. Cutting recognized him as a man he had known in Waltham, Mass., and
the friendship was renewed. Mr. Joyce purchased a one-fourth of a block for $500
on East Oak Street at the corner of Sacramento, and he there erected his house
and barns and later his bake shop, which was called the Pacific Bakery. This was
the only house in that part of town and was considered out in the country at
that time; he carried on his business until 1910. There were four children in
the family: John F.; Lizzie; James C., our subject; and Mary, the widow of the
late Jacob R. Koch, cashier of the San Joaquin Valley Bank. Alfred Joyce, the
pioneer, passed away in 1913; the mother made her home with the children at the
old home until her death, March, 1922, aged ninety-three years, hale and hearty
till her last illness of only a month's duration.
James C. first attended the Vineyard school at the corner of Park and
Pilgrim streets; later when the Jefferson school was built he attended there,
and during odd times he helped his father in the bakery and thus learned the
trade. As his father grew old, he and his brother, John F. took over the
business and ran it as the Pioneer Bakery until 1917 when they closed out the
business and retired. They built up a large business, running three delivery
wagons, and were among the oldest in this line of business. Having followed the
bakery business from twelve years of age, since 1874, Mr. Joyce retired after
forty-three years. However, wishing to again have something definite to occupy
his time, he entered the employ of Oranges Bros. Garage. Mr. Joyce was a member
of the Volunteer Fire Department in early days, foreman of Hose No. 4, which was
dubbed the "crazy four." He is loyally interested in everything that pertains to
the advancement of the community which has been his home for so many years of
his life.
History of San Joaquin County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co.,
1923
p 1044
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.